Research News

Children who sleep less at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, study says

August, 2017 |

A study conducted at St. George’s University of London found that children who slept on average one hour less a night had a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This included the risk of higher levels of blood glucose and insulin resistance. The study also found a direct relation between getting less sleep and body fat levels. Of the 4,525 children aged 9-10 who were studied, the children who slept the most had the least amount of fat mass and a lower body weight. By just increasing sleep duration by half an hour a day body mass index and insulin resistance can be considerably decreased in children.